Fans unite to remember Munich crash

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Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton joined fellow survivors Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Kenny Morgans and Albert Scanlon for a memorial service at Old Trafford.

Fans wept as the names of the eight "Busby Babes" killed in the crash were read out at the service.

The crash robbed the world of an emerging team of footballing greats - but gained United a worldwide following it has retained to this day.

The memorial service at the Theatre of Dreams was attended by the families of 19 of the 23 passengers who died when BEA Flight 609 ZU crashed on take-off on February 6, 1958.

A commemoration also took place in Munich at the same time, while thousands more ordinary fans visited Old Trafford to pay their respects throughout the day.

A memorial stone to the tragedy on the East Sand became enveloped in a sea of floral tributes, and the numbers gathered pace as the clock ticked down to 3.04pm - the exact time of the tragedy 50 years ago to the day.

Many sang and chanted until falling silent for a moment of moving reflection as the names of the victims were read out. It was an afternoon for sadness, but also reflection on the impact the Busby Babes might have had on football.

The accident happened as manager Sir Matt Busby - who was himself seriously injured in the crash - and his players headed back from Belgrade, having secured their place in the European Cup semi-finals.

In total, 23 of the 44 passengers on the plane that day were to lose their lives, eight of them United players - Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Liam "Billy" Whelan and Duncan Edwards, who died 15 days later - as well as three club officials, secretary Walter Crickmer, chief coach Bert Whalley and trainer Tom Curry.